Package for container and packaging method

ABSTRACT

A multi-pack comprising a plurality of containers, each having a respective label attached thereto, and packaging for holding said plurality of containers together, wherein the packaging is formed from a strip of sheet material which also constitutes at least part of said labels, and the packaging includes a plurality of connecting portions each of which extends from one to the other of a respective contiguous pair of the containers to join those containers together.

The invention relates generally to the field of packaging and morespecifically to a packaging method and to a multi-pack comprising aplurality of containers.

It is known to secure containers, particularly bottles, cans or cartonswhich contain drink or food, into groups of four, six, eight or twelvefor portability. Such a group is referred to herein as a multi-pack. Thecontainers of each group may be held in an array of rows and columnswhich (when viewed in plan) is generally rectangular, by a cardboard"outer" or carcass. The carcass extends around the outside of themulti-pack, and may carry identifying graphics or promotional materialwhich is to be visible when the multi-pack is stacked on a shelf.Providing a carcass and disposing it about the grouped containers canadd a significant amount to the cost of producing the multi-pack.

Those costs can be reduced by providing a carcass which only extendsaround some of the sides (normally the front, rear top and bottom) ofthe multi-pack. However, this approach does not avoid the need for aseparate carcass and is less effective at holding the containerstogether (unless those containers are glued to the carcass).

A further disadvantage of multi-packs including a carcass, is thatcontainers can be inadvertently detached from the rest of the multi-packwhile the latter is, for example, being carried by a consumer. Thisdisadvantage also applies to a second type of multi-pack, usually ofcans in which an array of interconnected plastic rings disposed aboutthe can necks holds the cans in position.

It is an object of the present invention to at least partially overcomesome of the above-mentioned difficulties.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided apackaging method comprising the steps of

interposing a plurality of containers between first and second opposedweb portions of material;

securing the web portions together at regions between adjacentcontainers, whereby the material extends on the periphery of thecontainers and provides a hinged connection between adjacent containers;

disposing the containers in a multi-pack configuration; and

securing a first container at an end of the web portions to anothercontainer of said plurality to retain the containers in said multi-packconfiguration.

Preferably said securing step comprises: providing a flap projectingfrom said first container and attaching that flap to said anothercontainer.

Advantageously, the providing step comprises forming the flap from freeadjacent ends of the first and second web portions.

In one embodiment, the flap forming step comprises attaching the ends ofthe web portions together by adhesive.

In another embodiment, the flap forming step comprises heat sealing theends of the web portions together.

Advantageously, the disposing step comprises disposing the containerssuch that successive connecting portions are mutually substantiallyperpendicular.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided amulti-pack comprising a plurality of containers, each having arespective label attached thereto, and packaging for holding saidplurality of containers together, wherein the packaging is formed from astrip of sheet material which also constitutes at least part of saidlabels, and the packaging includes a plurality of connecting portionseach of which extends from one to the other of a respective contiguouspair of the containers to join those containers together, wherein thesheet material comprises a continuous elongate strip which constitutespart of the labels of all the containers, so that said connectingportions are seamless, the packaging including fastening means securinga container which, by virtue of being at a region of an end of thestrip, has only one said connecting portion extending therefrom, toanother container in the multi-pack to prevent relative movement of saidcontainers.

Because the material of the packaging serves both to secure thecontainers into a multi-pack and as labels for the containers, there isno need to provide a separate carcass. This enables the multi-pack to beformed relatively cheaply. Since the connecting portions are an integralpart of the same strip, this arrangement can (with appropriate selectionof the material of the strip and means of attachment to the containers)provide a relatively strong connection between all the containers in themulti-pack. This helps to avoid containers becoming detached from themulti-pack when being removed from a shelf.

Conveniently, said fastening means comprises a flap constituted by atleast part of the end of the strip, which is secured to a container inthe multi-pack to retain the containers in configuration.

In some of the embodiments the containers are disposed so thatsuccessive connecting portions are mutually substantially perpendicular.

Where the multi-pack has four containers, these are preferably arrangedin an array which, viewed in plan, consists of two rows and two columns,each of two contiguous containers, wherein the containers in one columnare joined to each other, and to respective containers in the othercolumn, by corresponding connecting portions and the containers in saidother column are joined together by said flap.

Alternatively, where the multi-pack has more than four containers, theseare preferably disposed in n columns, each of m contiguous containers,and m rows each of n contiguous containers, and n is three or more, andwherein one of the connecting portions constitutes a bridging connectingportion which extends from an end of a container at an end of a firstcolumn at one side of the rows to a container at a correspondingposition in a second column at the opposite side of the rows, the flapextending from a container at the opposite end of the second column to acontainer in a corresponding position in another column, wherein thebridging connecting portion engages at least one container in anintermediate column between the first and second columns.

Preferably said container in the intermediate column is a containerwhich, by virtue of being at an end of the strip, only has oneconnecting portion projecting therefrom.

Thus, for example, in a six container multi-pack, the containers arearranged in three columns of two and two rows of three containers, thebridging connecting portion extends from the top of the first to the topof the third column and the container at the top of the second column isone of the containers with only one seamless connecting portion.

Since the bridging connecting portion extends across the whole width ofthe multi-pack, it can carry relatively large scale graphics andpromotional literature for the multi-pack as a whole.

Alternatively, the containers are held together in other configurations.For example, the containers of a six container multi-pack may be heldtogether in a configuration which is generally hexagonal, when viewed inplan.

Preferably, the strip is one of a pair of such strips, between whicheach container is sandwiched, the entire label of each container beingconstituted by said strips.

The use of two strips helps to prevent any container in the multi-packfrom being detached from its label, and hence from the remainingcontainers.

Advantageously, the connecting portions of the two strips are joinedtogether so as to provide composite connecting portions, each of whichpreferably has a thickness which is at least the sum of the thicknessesof the individual strips.

As a result, the connecting portions are more robust than the portionsof the strips constituting the labels.

Conveniently, each strip is of high tear strength paper.

Preferably, each connecting portion includes a line of weakening forenabling a connecting portion to be split into two, and thus to alloweach container to be separated from the other containers in themulti-pack when needed.

Preferably, where the strips are of high tear strength paper, the stripsare attached to the containers, and to each other, in the connectingportions, by means of an adhesive. The adhesive can also help to fortifythe composite connecting portions.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided amulti-pack comprising a plurality of containers held together bypackaging, the packaging comprising at least one strip of sheetmaterial, between respective portions of which each container issandwiched, the portions being secured together at intervals to providehinging connecting portions each of which extends between, and joinstogether, a respective contiguous pair of containers, and furthercomprising at least one strip of sheet material, between respectiveportions of which each container is sandwiched, the portions beingsecured together at intervals to provide hinging connecting portionseach of which extends between and joins together a respective contiguouspair of containers, and further comprising fastening means securing oneof said containers to another container whereby said containers areretained in a multi-pack configuration.

The sheet material thus holds each individual container in themulti-pack rather than merely pushing one container against another, asis the case with multi-packs which have cardboard outers.

Also, the sheet material may provide substantial torsional rigidityespecially where it extends over a substantial part of the height of thecontainers, and this is advantageous where the multi-pack has a largenumber of containers (for example, six or more).

Advantageously the sheet material comprises a continuous elongate stripengaging each of said plurality of containers.

The packaging for the multi-pack can be formed from a single strip ofsheet material turned back on itself. Preferably, however, the packagingcomprises two opposed strips of material bonded together.

Conveniently, the containers are disposed so that consecutive connectingportions are disposed mutually substantially at right angles.

The strips may be of paper. Alternatively the strips may be of atransparent material. In this case, the containers (or any markings orlabels thereon) would be visible through the packaging for themulti-pack. Alternatively the strips may be non-transparent, e.g.carrying printed matter.

The sheet material preferably comprises a plastics material, for examplepolythene (polyethylene), polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) orpolyester (PET).

Preferably, the strips are bonded together at their ends and at saidintervals by a process of heat sealing.

Conveniently, the sheet material may comprise a laminate, having a layerof material (for example PVC or PET) which is not readily heat sealableto itself, and a further layer of material, such as polypropylene, whichis readily heat sealable to itself.

Conveniently, the containers are gripped by the sheet material, thusavoiding the need for any adhesive.

Preferably, the multi-pack includes a handle which is convenientlyintegrally formed in one of the two pairs of corresponding ends of thestrips.

The containers of the multi-pack can be arranged in a blockconfiguration of rows and columns, or in any other convenientconfiguration. One example of the latter for six containers is agenerally hexagonal configuration (viewed in plan).

Embodiments of the invention will be described, by way of example, withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a first multi-pack, a so-called "four-pack", inaccordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 shows the four-pack from the opposite side;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the four-pack;

FIG. 4 shows the containers of the four-pack with packaging for holdingthe four-pack together but before the containers are formed into theconfigurations shown in FIGS. 1-3;

FIGS. 5 and 6 show how the containers are moved relative to each otherto achieve the configurations shown in FIGS. 1-3, starting from theconfiguration as shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a side view of a second multi-pack, a so-called "six-pack";

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the six-pack;

FIGS. 9-11 are views of the six-pack which correspond to FIGS. 4-6respectively;

FIG. 12 is a side view of a third multi-pack; and

FIGS. 13 and 14 are views of the third multi-pack which respectivelycorrespond to FIGS. 4 and 5.

The four-pack shown in FIGS. 1-3 comprises four cans 1, 2, 3 and 4 offood. The cans shown in the figures are cylindrical, but other shapes ofcontainers are, of course, possible. For example containers having agenerally rectangular or square base, and substantial parallel sidewalls could be used. The cans 1-4 are arranged in a generally cuboid,unitary structure which, when viewed in plan (as in FIG. 3), has twocolumns and two rows, each of two contiguous cans. Thus the cans 1 and 2are in one column as viewed in FIG. 3, whilst the cans 3 and 4 are inthe other column.

FIG. 4 shows the cans before being placed in that configuration. As canbe seen from that Figure, the cans are all secured to a first strip 6 ofmaterial, such as high tear strength paper which extends approximatelyhalfway round on the periphery of the cylindrical surface of each can. Asecond strip 7 of the material extends around the other half of eachcan.

Both strips extend over substantially the entire height of the cans.This is however a feature of this embodiment, and other arrangements forexample, where the strips do not cover the full height, may be employedeither with cans or other containers.

The two strips of paper are pre-treated by the application of anadhesive layer which sticks the strips of paper to the cans and are alsopre-printed with graphics identifying the product, and thus alsoconstitute the whole or part of the labels for the containers.

As shown in FIG. 4, the cans form a linear array in which they arespaced from each other and the portions of the strips between adjacentcans are secured together to provide a respective one of three hingeableconnecting portions, 8, 10 and 12, each of which extends between arespective adjacent pair of cans. The connecting portions aredimensioned to enable the cans to be spaced apart sufficiently to behinged with respect to one another. For a four pack configuration ofcircular containers, an even container spacing along the strips toprovide connecting portions whose length is 0.585 times the containerradius (2r 1-√1/2!) causes the connecting portions to be in tension oncethe containers are disposed in that configuration. Other spacings are ofcourse possible. At one end the two strips are secured together at thecan 1 to provide a seam 14, whilst the opposite end of the strips areattached together adjacent the can 4, using the adhesive, to providefastening means in the form of a flap 16. An adhesive is applied to theflap 16. Alternatively other fastenings could be used, such as an addedadhesive label or the like.

A respective line of weakening, here a line of perforations 18, 20 and22, is provided in each connecting portion to enable cans to beseparated, one at a time, from the others. In a modified version of thisembodiment, each connecting portion includes two parallel lines ofperforations which define a respective tear away strip.

Since the connecting portions 8, 10 and 12 are constituted by paper andadhesive, they provide hinged connections between the cans. Thus thecans 1 and 2 can be hinged relative to the cans 3 and 4 in a directionindicated by the arrow 24 of FIG. 5 until the configuration shown inFIG. 6, in which the cans 2 and 3 are touching, is reached. The cans 1and 4 are then moved towards each other and rotated slightly about theirrespective axes which brings them into contact with each other and withthe cans 2 and 3 respectively. The connecting portions are then intension with each connecting portion disposed substantiallyperpendicular to a neighbouring connecting portion. The fastening means(flap 16) is then attached to the can 1, thereby to secure the cans inthe configuration shown in FIGS. 1-3.

With the four-pack held together as shown in FIGS. 1-3, and with theabove length of connecting portion (for circular containers) the strips6 and 7 are under tension, as a result of which the cans are heldtightly together at their rims. For other container geometries, simplemathematics is used to determine the required length of connectingportion for tension to occur.

After purchasing the multi-pack, the consumer can peel back the flap 16and separate the can 4 from the rest of the multi-pack by tearing alongthe line of perforations 12.

The containers of the six-pack shown in FIG. 7 are referenced 31-36,and, as shown in FIG. 8, are arranged into rows of three contiguouscontainers and three columns, each of two contiguous containers. Withreference to FIGS. 9 and 10, each of the containers is sandwichedbetween two strips of high tear strength paper 38 and 40 which, like thestrips 6 and 7, are pre-treated with adhesive and are pre-printed withthe container labels.

The strips 38 and 40 are sealed together between the cans to define fiveconnecting portions 42, 44, 46, 48 and 50. The adjacent ends of thestrips 38 and 40 are sealed together to form a seam 51 and a flap 52respectively.

Each of the connecting portions 42, 44, 46 and 50 has a single line ofperforations thereon which perform a similar function to theperforations of the four-pack. However, the connecting portion 48, whichis considerably longer than the other connecting portions, includes twoparallel lines of perforations 54 and 56. As with the first describedembodiment, all the connecting portions can, in a modified version, havetwo parallel lines of perforation.

In order to form the linear array of containers as shown in FIG. 9 intothe configuration shown in FIG. 8, the containers 31, 32, 33 and 34 arefirst formed into a four-pack configuration similar to that shown inFIGS. 1-3. The containers 35 and 36 are then rotated relative to thecontainers 31-34 about the connecting portion 48 so that the cans 35, 36and the connecting portion 48 are effectively wrapped around two sidesof the other cans (FIG. 11).

The can 36 is then secured to the can 32 by means of the flap 40.

Referring back to FIG. 8, it can be seen that the connecting portion 48effectively bridges the column defined by the cans 31 and 32, and thatthe strips of paper defining the can labels and the connecting portionsfollow a generally spiral inward path from the flap 52 to the seam 51.It will be seen that the can 31 is held in position in the multi-pack bythe force exerted thereon by the cans 35, 34 and 32, and by theconnecting portions 42 and 48.

Since the connecting portion 48 extends across the whole width of thesix-pack, it can carry a suitably large graphic for the whole pack.

As with the four-pack, the connecting portions are under tension. Tothat end, the connecting portions 48 and 50 project from the container35 from positions which lie on a chord which is displaced towards theoutside of the multi-pack from the centre of the container. Connectingportions project from corresponding positions on the cans 33 and 34, asdo the connecting portion 50 and flap 52 from the can 36.

The multi-pack shown in FIG. 12 comprises four screw top bottles 100,102, 104 and 106 each containing for example a beverage.

Each bottle has a cup-shaped base portion, and a generally cylindricalwall portion extending from the base portion. It will be understood thatbottles having a non-circular cross-section, for example, generallyoctagonal, oval or square cross-section, could be used. The bottles areheld together in a block of two rows and two columns each of twocontainers by means of two strips of polythene 108 and 110 (FIG. 14).The strips have a transverse extent corresponding to the height of thewall portions of the bottles.

With reference to FIG. 13, the polythene strips 108 and 110 are heatsealed together at intervals to provide connecting portions 112, 114 and116, each extending between a respective pair of the bottles, and toprovide pockets, each of which accommodates a respective one of thebottles. The sheets 108 and 110 are also joined together at theircorresponding ends to define a flap 118 and a portion 120. The portion120 is formed with an aperture 122, which provides a handle for carryingthe multi-pack.

The sealing together of the strips 108 and 110 occurs with the bottlesin situ (in a configuration similar to that shown in FIG. 13) in such away that each bottle is gripped by each respective pocket withsufficient force to retain the bottle in the pocket without the need forany adhesive to stick the strips 108 and 110 to the bottles.

Each of the connecting portions 112, 114 and 116 is formed with arespective line of perforations which enables a selected one of thebottles to be torn away from the rest of the multi-pack. In a modifiedversion of this embodiment, each connecting portion can include twoparallel lines of perforations which define a respective tear awaystrip.

With reference to FIG. 14, the bottles 100 and 102 are hinged relativeto the bottles 104 and 106 about the connecting portion 114 (see FIG.13) in the direction of the arrow 126 until the bottle 100 abuts thebottle 106, and the successive connecting portions are mutually at rightangles. The flap 118 (see FIG. 13) can then be heat sealed to theinboard end of the portion 120 to secure the bottles in the multi-packconfiguration shown in FIG. 12.

The polythene constituting the strips 108 and 110 is transparent, sothat the labels of the bottles are visible through the packaging for themulti-pack.

It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to anyparticular type of container, nor any particular type of sheet materialfor forming the multi-pack. Thus the containers for the multi-packcould, for example, be cartons or sachets. The containers, regardless oftype, could be held together by paper, polypropylene, PVC, PET or sheetmaterial constituted by a laminate of various different types ofmaterial. In one embodiment, the packaging material is a laminate whichhas a layer of material which is not readily heat sealable to itself,and a further layer of material which is readily heat sealable toitself. The invention is also applicable to multi-packs of containers ofthings other than food or drink, for example, cleaning substances ormotor oil. It will also be appreciated that the invention could lie in amulti-pack having fewer than four or more than six containers.

The invention is also applicable to multi-packs of sets of containers.In this situation, containers such as cans, are provided in sets, eachset comprising plural containers, for example three containers. Withineach set of containers the containers may then be disposed, for exampleside by side, or one on top of the other and treated like a singlecontainer. Thus the sets are interposed between opposed strips ofpackaging material, and the strips secured between the adjacent sets ofcontainers, rather than between individual containers.

We claim:
 1. A packaging method comprising the steps ofinterposing aplurality of containers between first and second opposed web portions ofmaterial; securing the web portions together at regions between adjacentcontainers, whereby the material extends at the periphery of thecontainers and provides a hinged connecting portion between adjacentcontainers; providing at an end of the web portions, a flap projectingfrom a first container, said flap comprising a portion of said material;disposing the containers in a multi-pack configuration wherein saidconnecting portions are in tension; securing said flap to anothercontainer of said plurality of containers; whereby said containers areretained in said multi-pack configuration.
 2. A packaging method asclaimed in claim 1 wherein the flap providing step comprises forming theflap from free adjacent ends of the first and second web portions.
 3. Apackaging method as claimed in claim 2 wherein the flap forming stepcomprises attaching the ends of the web portions together by adhesive.4. A packaging method as claimed in claim 2 wherein the flap formingstep comprises heat sealing the ends of the web portions together.
 5. Apackaging method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the disposingstep comprises disposing the containers such that successive connectingportions are mutually substantially perpendicular.
 6. A multi-packcomprising a plurality of containers, each having a respective labelattached thereto, and packaging for holding said plurality of containerstogether, wherein the packaging is formed from a continuous strip ofsheet material which constitutes at least part of the labels of all thecontainers, said continuous strip further forming a plurality ofconnecting portions each of which extends from one to the other of arespective contiguous pair of the containers to join those containerstogether, the continuous strip extending into a flap projecting from afirst container from said plurality of containers which, by virtue ofbeing at a region of an end of the strip, has only one said connectingportion extending therefrom, wherein said flap secures said firstcontainer to a second container such that said connecting portions arein tension and relative movement of individual containers of saidplurality of containers is prevented.
 7. A multi-pack as claimed inclaim 6 wherein successive connecting portions are mutuallysubstantially perpendicular.
 8. A multi-pack as claimed in claim 6wherein said plurality of containers comprises four containers, the fourcontainers being arranged in an array which, viewed in plan, consists oftwo rows and two columns, each row and column having two contiguouscontainers, wherein said containers of each column are joined to eachother, and to respective containers in the other column, bycorresponding connecting portions, whereby said containers in one roware joined together by said flap.
 9. A multi-pack as claimed in claim 6wherein said plurality of containers comprises more than fourcontainers, the containers being disposed in n columns, each of mcontiguous containers, and m rows each of n contiguous containers, and nis three or more, and wherein one of the connecting portions constitutesa bridging connecting portion which extends from an end of a thirdcontainer at an end of a first column at one side or from an end of afirst row, to a fourth container at a corresponding position in a secondcolumn at the opposite side of the rows, said flap extending from saidfirst container at the opposite end of said second column to said secondcontainer in a corresponding position in another column, wherein saidbridging connecting portion engages at least one container in anintermediate column between said first and second columns.
 10. Amulti-pack as claimed in claim 9 wherein at least one container in theintermediate column between said first and second columns is a containerwhich, by virtue of being at the end of the strip, only has oneconnecting portion projecting therefrom.
 11. A multi-pack as claimed inclaim 6 wherein the strip is one of a pair of such strips, between whicheach container is sandwiched, the entire label of each container beingconstituted by said strips.
 12. A multi-pack as claimed in claim 6wherein the connecting portions of the two strips are joined together soas to provide composite connecting portions, each of which preferablyhas a thickness which is at least the sum of the thickness of theindividual strips.
 13. A multi-pack as claimed in claim 6 wherein eachstrip is of high tear strength paper.
 14. A multi-pack as claimed inclaim 6 wherein each connecting portion includes a line of weakening forenabling a connecting portion to be spit into two, and thus to alloweach container to be separated from the other containers in themulti-pack when needed.
 15. A multi-pack as claimed in claim 13 whereinthe strips are attached to the containers, and to each other, in theconnecting portions, by means of an adhesive.
 16. A multi-packcomprising a plurality of containers held together by packaging, thepackaging comprising at least one continuous strip of sheet material,between respective portions of which each container is sandwiched, theportions being secured together at intervals to provide hingingconnecting portions each of which extends between, and joins together, arespective contiguous pair of containers, and the continuous strip ofsheet material further forming a flap extending from one of saidcontainers and secured to a second of said containers such that saidconnecting portions are under tension and said containers are retainedin a multi-pack configuration.
 17. A multi-pack as claimed in claim 16wherein the sheet material comprises a continuous elongate stripengaging each of said plurality of containers.
 18. A multi-pack asclaimed in claim 16 wherein the packaging comprises two opposed stripsof material bonded together at their corresponding ends.
 19. Amulti-pack as claimed in claim 16 wherein consecutive connectingportions are mutually disposed substantially at right angles.
 20. Amulti-pack as claimed in claim 18 wherein the strips are of atransparent material.
 21. A multi-pack as claimed in claim 18 whereinthe sheet material comprises a plastics material.
 22. A multi-pack asclaimed in claim 20 wherein the strips are bonded together at their endsand at said intervals by a process of heat sealing.
 23. A multi-pack asclaimed in claim 22 wherein the sheet material comprises a laminate,having a layer of material which is not readily heat sealable to itself,and a further layer of material, which is readily heat sealable toitself.
 24. A multi-pack as claimed in claim 18 wherein the containersare gripped by the sheet material, thus avoiding the need for anyadhesive.
 25. A multi-pack as claimed in claim 18 wherein the multi-packincludes a handle which is integrally formed in one of the two pairs ofcorresponding ends of the strips.